How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Swimming Pool

What Does Black Algae Look Like

Knowing what to look out for will help you nip the spread of black algae in the bud a lot sooner, and in return your task will be much more straightforward.

Lookout for:

• Blue-green or black spots that arent free-flowing .
• Rough patches or corners in your pools plaster they like to attach to something.
• How easily it brushes off. If it comes off easily, its not black algae.
• Mineral staining. This is often confused with black algae as it can discolor the surface black and doesnt scrape off. The keyword here is surface though, so its not the same thing.

In short: if you spot any black spots, big or small, that are attached to the plaster in your pool, resembling a mould-like texture, youve got a black algae problem.

How Often To Clean Black Mold Growth

As soon as any type of mold is spotted on any surface, the area should be cleaned immediately. Small colonies of black mold can become large colonies in just a few days. Since bathrooms, basements, and any area subjected to high humidity are likely locations for mold growth, they should be checked at least weekly for signs of mold.

Other Dangers Of Black Algae

The presence of black algae in the pool can attract insects like mayflies to the pool too. Accumulation of dead mayflies for instance is known to cause hay fever and other allergies.

Black algae also cause harmful bacteria like E.coli to grow in the pool. If pool water with E.coli is accidentally swallowed by swimmers, it can cause nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

You can learn more about the dangers of black algae here.

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How To Get Rid Of Blackspot Algae In Your Swimming Pool

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Algae are diverse, simple plants that thrive in water. Of all the alga types and species on the planet, black algae can be the most difficult to treat and most resilient to remove from a swimming pool. Alga spores may always be present in your pool, but problems arise when the right conditions are present and the algae are able to bloom. There are ways to treat your pool and rid it of black algae, but prevention is always the best approach.

Will Liquid Chlorine Kill Black Algae

You can use a putty knife, a pumice stone, or even a hand-held wire brush to scrub the remaining black algae off the pools surfaces. We like to use chlorine tablets because now only do they offer a scrubbing surface, youre also applying chlorine directly, which can start killing the bacteria while you scrub.

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Why Is Black Algae Bad For Your Pool

Black algae are SO unhygienic.

Letting it fester on the outer edges of your swimming pool is not a good idea because it harbours harmful bacteria like E. coli, which could result in swimmers getting sick, and it can also attract insects.

Would you want to swim in an unattractive, unkept and gross swimming pool?

We wouldnt either.

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Keep Your Chlorine Levels Nice And High

You’re going to mainly be focusing on adding hydrochloric acid to your pool to lower your pH, but that, of course, goes hand-in-hand with making sure that your pool is sanitised with chlorine to help kill off the algae.

The use of an algaecide not only helps remove algae infestations but also starves them out to prevent algae colonization and blooming.

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For Stains At The Water Line:

Wet & Forget will remove mold, mildew or algae stains without harming your pools vinyl liner. To clean, lower the water level of the pool until the whole stain is exposed to the air.

Allow the affected are to dry completely. Spray the stained area with a solution of 1 part Wet & Forget and 5 parts water. Allow 4 to 5 hours for the surface to dry completely, and then raise the pools water to the desired level.

Because Wet & Forget is a gentle, nearly pH-neutral product, any overspray will not change your pools pH.

You Can See Clearly Now The Algaes Gone

Whew! Were tired after just putting all this down, so we can imagine how exhausted you must be! Itll be worth it, though, to kill the black algae in your pool and keep it from returning.

More importantly, youll be keeping your family and pets safe, and maintaining a pool thats clean, sanitary, and fun to use without any worries.

Happy Swimming!

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Is It Ok To Swim With Black Algae In The Pool

If the slimy, mysterious black dots arent enough to keep you out of the pool, you may still want to reconsider cannon-balling in too soon.

Is Black Algae Harmful?

Black algaes presence promotes bacterial growth and attracts insects. This could mean youre exposing yourself to bacteria like E.Coli and running the risk of developing a rash and other illnesses. It is best to play it safe and avoid swimming until your pool is algae-free.

How To Kill Black Algae

Plain green algae is pretty easy to kill because its a plant, and anyone without a green thumb can attest that you can kill a plant just by looking at it the wrong way. Or is that just us?

Anyway, the fact that black algae in your pool is actually bacteria is what makes it so hardy and hard to kill. And you thought that was just a movie.

The good news is, its not impossible to kill. It will only take a little more effort and persistence on your part.

Before you begin, gather the supplies youll need:

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Brush Your Pool Again And Again

Brush your pool at least 3 to 4 times a week, concentrating on where you first spotted the algae. Remember, black algae has deep roots that can be embedded into your pool walls. It may look like its gone, but its probably still there. Just keep brushing. Continue brushing for several days after you see it starting to dissipate.

This is, however, not a guarantee. Black algae is relentless and could continue to infect your water. If it does, you know how to kill it, just be more aggressive next time. Perhaps consider an additional dose of acid and chlorine and constant brushing.

Donât forget to use some Black Spot Remover to make sure that the not only does the black algae brush off easier, but they stay off as well.

What To Do If You Get Black Algae In Your Pool

Black algae in your vinyl pool is a significant health hazard. You should know how to spot it, ban the use of the pool immediately, and take the necessary steps to get rid of it! Black algae can make your family, friends, and your pets sick by just swimming in water that is infected. But, the probability and the severity of illness is increased if you accidentally drink the infected water. Killing black algae is more difficult than killing other forms of algae because it isnt technically algaeit is bacteria! If you think you may have black algae, it is a good idea to call experienced pool technicians at Prestige Pools to help you eliminate it.

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Is It Safe To Swim With Black Algae In My Pool Or Is Black Algae Harmful

The presence of black algae in your pool may make it appear unattractive. It gives an impression of filth and dirt and people may not want to swim in it.

Nevertheless, if they decide to swim, they will not get sick from the algae alone.

Although many think that Black algae can directly cause illness, Black algae by itself will not cause any sickness. Black algae can, however, harbor harmful organisms, attract insects that can infect the water, or harbor bacteria like E. coli, thus, making anyone who uses your pool prone to sickness. This gets even more severe if they accidentally drink infected water.

That is why it is essential to identify black algae as soon as you can see it and take immediate action to get rid of it.

Quadruple Shock The Pool

Did we mention black algae is difficult to kill? A regular dose of shock wont be nearly enough to get rid of it. Now that youve brushed as much gunk off your pools surfaces as you can, you need to kill all that nasty stuff floating in the water.

Follow the manufacturers instructions to determine the correct dose for your pools volume, then multiply that by four. Not sure how much water your pool holds? You can use our pool calculator to figure it out.

Even if you dont normally use it, we highly recommend using calcium hypochlorite shock to kill the black algae in your pool. Nothing else will work as well.

Tip: Place all your pool maintenance equipmentthe algae brush, the tablet holder, the leaf skimmer if youve used it recently, everythingin the shallow end of the pool to sanitize it during the shocking process.

Important: Remember to shock your pool at dusk or night. If you shock during the day, the sun will eat up most of the chlorine before it has a chance to kill the algae.

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Black Spots In Your Pool Not Algae

It is important to note that black stains in your vinyl pool could also be due to staining be metals. Metals such as iron, manganese and copper can be introduced to your pool from a water source. In a chlorinated pool, these metals oxidize and the resultant precipitates stain the vinyl lining of your pool which appear brown, gray or black. Other sources of metals can be algaesides and fittings made from brass or copper.

To differentiate the two, black spots caused by metal staining cannot be scrapped off. On the other hand, black spots caused by black algae can be scrapped off though with a lot of effort.

What Is Black Algae In A Pool

Black algae is different from the common green algae that often plagues pools in that it’s not technically an algae at all. It’s actually a type of bacteria. It’s also much trickier to get rid of due to its protective coating and deep roots. As the experts at Swimmingpool.com say, ‘simply shocking or adding algaecide to your swimming pool will not kill it.’

In terms of appearance, black algae shows up as clusters of black dots, similar to mold. It tends to form on rough, porous surfaces, such as concrete, and can grow in both sun and shade.

According to Swim University , simply swimming in a pool that has black algae can make you ill. The risk is increased if you accidentally swallow the infected water, leading to various symptoms from nausea to liver damage. So if you spot it, you’ll definitely want to eradicate it before hosting your next pool party.

Black algae can appear as small, black dots on the walls and sides of your pool

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Tips To Keep Black Mold Away Longer

• Reduce moisture levels in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, humidity levels in homes should not exceed 60 percent.
• Repair leaks that keep surfaces wet.
• Add a dehumidifier and use heating and air conditioners to help reduce moisture levels.
• Install moisture barriers in basements.
• Clean mold-prone areas regularly to keep black mold growth in check.

Shock Again If Needed

If you see any remaining black algae in your pool after taking these steps, shock your pool again using a 2x dose of the manufacturers recommendations.

Run the pump for 24 hours, or 8 to 12 hours at minimum, and brush the pool again. Brushing is important because you dont want to risk the black algae coming back if there is any left.

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What Causes Black Algae In A Pool

Warding off black algae can be extremely difficult, and even the most attentive homeowners can end up with black algae in their pool. This is because this intruder typically enters pools from outside sources and can invade your pool even if you keep it filtered, balanced and free of debris. This is a different circumstance than other pool problems, such as your pool turning green overnight.

Black algae often gets into swimming pools by traveling on items like swimsuits, floaties and pool toys. This can happen when someone wears a swimsuit or uses a toy in a natural body of water, such as a lake or river, and then doesnt wash it before they wear or use the same item in your pool.

Once black algae takes root in your pool, its often incredibly difficult to get rid of. Thats why its wise to contact a pool professional as soon as you suspect you might have black algae. They have the specialized training and tools to treat the problem, prevent future algae growth and take care of all your pool cleaning needs.

Scrub The Black Patches With Chlorine Tablets

Put your gloves on and break a chlorine tablet into two. Then use one half to scrub the black patches on the pool surface.

What you are doing is directly rubbing chlorine on the black algae spots. This will stop the roots inside the pool frame from growing.

You can also use a chlorine tablet holder to do this. Its a holder that fits on the end of a pool pole and is designed to hold regular chlorine tablets. That way you can scrub without getting wet!

Heres a chlorine tablet holder:

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What Exactly Is Swimming Pool Mold

An organically occurring fungus, white water mold is a tissue paper like substance that forms within a swimming pool, that eventually forms a protective coating on items within a swimming pool including pool toys, ladders, steps, pool cleaners, skimmer baskets and light fittings.

The natural fungus is tremendously resistant and re-establishes quickly once the fungus has been removed should there be a recurrence of poor pool maintenance, inadequate pH levels or poor circulation.

While it is often explained as looking like shredded toilet paper, this form of natural mold can re-contaminate well after treatment, and while it is not toxic to humans, it is particularly unsightly, and it can in some cases clog your equipment if left for too long.

What Is Black Algae And Why Is It So Bad

Black algae are living organisms. If you dont take care of the problem quickly, it can easily take over your swimming pool and begin causing damage. Black algae is particularly hard to get rid of because it roots in cracks in the cement. It has also developed a protection mechanism, so its resistant to chlorine.

Any form of algae will be prone to grow in your pool if it has a high pH level, low chlorine levels, poor circulation, or poor filtration. On hot sunny days, algae thrive.

Black algae looks scarier than other types of algae due to their color, but youll be surprised to hear that its not harmful to humans. The health risks of algae infestation come with the bacteria that breed with it.

Before you engage in an intensive cleaning process to rid your pool of black algae, make sure thats actually what youre dealing with. Here are some ways to tell that you have black algae in your pool:

• Black or blue-green spots with raised heads that are not free-floating in the water. Free-floating varieties of algae are the green and mustard varieties.
• The black spots are on rough surfaces in your pool.
• You cant easily brush off the spots.
• You have ensured proper sanitizer levels and filtration, but the spots are still there.
• Its not staining your pool wall, which can be scraped off.

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How To Kill Black Algae In Your Pool

Its bad enough to discover your pool is infected with regular ol green algae. Luckily, thats usually pretty simple to address. But if you discover black algae in your pool, get ready because you have some work to do to get your pool back to normal. And for safetys sake, no one can swim in it until you do.

Four Quadruple Shock Your Pool

Now that you have brushed as many black algae off your Vinyl Pool walls and floor, you need to kill everything that is in the water. Use Cal-Hypo Shock for best results a regular shock will not kill everything. Determine the amount by following the manufacturers instructions.

NB. It is advisable to place all the pool washing equipments in the shallow end of your pool to sanitize them during the shocking process.

Do the shocking process at night because the sun will consume most of the chlorine if you do it in the daytime. Hence, the procedure will be list effective if done during the day.

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